Bagel buyers and computer lab users last Thursday must have been pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a concert of classical Indian music in Shapiro Atrium. The concert, which was an informal preview of the MusicUnitesUS keynote performance Saturday night, featured traditional Hindustani singer Shubha Mudgal and a cast of backing musicians. Prof. Judith Eissenberg (MUS), an organizer of the MusicUnitesUS series and Lydian String Quartet second violinist, described Mudgal's music as "explor[ing] the hidden passageways of the soul, balancing extraordinary discipline and breathtaking virtuosity with the improvisation of the imagination." Virtuosic is certainly an adjective to describe Mudgal's vocal performance; her voice sounded incredibly rich over the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium's speakers. Mudgal was accompanied by Aneesh Pradhan on tabla, a type of Indian drum, Sudhir Nayak on harmonium, a type of miniature organ, and Murad Ali on sarangi, a stringed instrument like a lute.

Mudgal is known for her performances in the Khyal and Thumri genres. Khyal, literally meaning "thought" in Hindi and Urdu, is a style of vocal music based on improvisation and the expression of emotions. It is derived from medieval Persian music. Thumri is another vocal genre that traditionally involves romantic lyrics in a proto-Hindi language called Braj Bhasha.

The MusicUnitesUS series, which occurs every semester and last spring featured a pair of traditional Chinese musicians, lasts a number of days and this fall included a master class, a film screening, open classes and lectures. The series ends with a keynote Saturday night concert in Slosberg Recital Hall; this year's concert was sold out.

The spring artists-in-residence are Nettle, a band that comprises an American DJ, a Scottish cellist and two Moroccan musicians who combine digital beats and electronic music with North African folksong and Arabic classical traditions.